A massive fire at an industrial warehouse in Stretham yesterday (Thursday, June 27) was caused by rubbish being burnt in an incinerator at the rear of the premises.

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the exact cause of the inferno at Masters Logistical Services Ltd, in Ely Road, this afternoon (Friday, June 28).

Station Commander Martin Brown said: “The fire started from rubbish burning in an incinerator, which was located outside and to the rear of the premises.

“The fire then spread to a nearby lorry trailer and then to a warehouse very quickly.

“We would advise business owners to take precaution and to review their fire risk assessments to ensure they cover evacuation and fire prevention, particularly when burning refuse on and near their premises.”

Paul Upton and Deanna Wood, owners of the business, have praised the “sterling efforts” of the fire service in tackling the inferno.

They said: “A big thank you to all emergency services that attended the scene and to local residents for their support and understanding.

“Because of the sterling efforts of the fire service they were able to contain the fire and in doing so have allowed us to continue operating.

“We are still open for business and all operations will continue to run as normal.”

The fire was reported at 1.50pm yesterday, when flames tore through a factory unit measuring approximately 100m by 40m in size at the site.

At its height, nine crews from Cambridgeshire and Suffolk tackled the blaze.

It is not known how many people were inside the building at the time but nobody was trapped inside.

Three people did however have to be treated for smoke inhalation by paramedics, one of whom was taken to hospital by ambulance.

The Environment Agency also had to be drafted in as there was a diesel spillage and fuel had leaked into nearby ditches.

Speaking from the scene, a member of staff, who was in a neighbouring warehouse when the inferno broke out, said: “It all happened so quickly.

“I was in the unit next to it and the fire alarms all went off.

“We were all told to get out, which we did, and it was when we got outside that we realised just how big it was.

“The smoke was so thick. We’re all in shock really.”

Another employee said: “Obviously what’s happened is sad and the warehouse has been gutted but at the end of the day nobody was injured and that’s the main thing.”

Until this afternoon, motorists also faced disruption on the A10, although the busy route is now fully re-open.

Residents across the region contacted the News to say they could see the thick smoke from where they were - the furthest areas being Swavesey and Newmarket Heath.